Once dinner was finished, Jianyu gave Ying Yue the choice to stay the night or leave and return to the dragon kingdom. As much as she wanted to leave for the dragon kingdom; no one was prepared to leave yet. No one was packed, and everyone was still drinking and having fun.
"Ying Yue, did you want to return tonight or spend the night here?"
"It's already late and no one has packed. We might as well spend the night and leave in the morning,"
"Very well."
"Everyone, we'll be turning in for the night first. Please refrain from drinking too much and get ready in the morning. We will be leaving for the dragon kingdom."
Duan Da quickly sobered up and motioned for everyone to bid Jianyu and Ying Yue goodnight.
"Yes, as you wish your highness!"
Jianyu stretches his arms out for Ying Yue to hand over their baby. He then holds out his left hand for Ying Yue to grab onto as he helped her back to her bedroom. Su Ru who was watching from behind smiles and nods goodnight to Ying Yue.
After walking for ten minutes, Jianyu and Ying Yue were now in her shared bedroom with Su Ru. While everyone was busy partying and having fun; Ping was busy cleaning and rearranging the bedroom to make it decent for the dragon emperor and empress to lay in.
"Greetings your majesty and your highness."
"Ping? Wow, you did a great job. You even placed out a small baby bed here."
"If you don't mind, please use it. It used to be my daughters, but she's out grown it."
"Now that you mention it.... where is your daughter? I haven't seen her for the past few weeks."
"Oh, don't worry. She's over at her grandparents. I didn't want her to cause a ruckus."
"Ahhh....I see."
"Well, let me know if you need anything."
Ping quickly bids farewell and exits the bedroom; closing the door behind her. Jianyu places their sleeping son in the baby bed as he motioned for Ying Yue to get some sleep first.
"I can watch over our son. Get some rest for now."
"I'm fine, Jianyu. I got some sleep earlier already."
"Well, try to get some more. We have a busy day tomorrow."
"Sigh...alright....alright...if it makes you feel better, I'll just lay in bed then."
Ying Yue sleeps towards the wall as Jianyu laid at the edge of the bed, near the baby bed. As the night rolls in and the hours passed. Ying Yue was now unable to keep her eyes open anymore. Slowly dozing off without realizing it. Ying Yue was unable to keep her eyes opened anymore and soon falls asleep. Jianyu chuckles at the sight of Ying Yue trying so hard to stay awake; turning to his side, he places a light kiss onto Ying Yue's forehead and pulls her in an embrace.
Morning breaks and everyone was out and about already. Ying Yue wakes up to the sound of her baby crying. Quickly rubbing her eyes open, Ying Yue sits up and could see Jianyu comforting their son.
"Ah, is he hungry?"
"Oh, great you're awake! I was just about to wake you up too. I think he's hungry; feed him as I check on the others to see how preparations is going."
Jianyu hands over their son, who was still bundled up to Ying Yue and quickly exits the bedroom. Ying Yue quickly feeds their son and packs her things for the trip back to the dragon kingdom. After thirty minutes, Jianyu returned to check on Ying Yue and his son.
"How's everything?"
"Well, I'm pretty much packed up and ready to leave. How's everyone? Are they ready?"
"Almost, but we can start heading there now. Here, I'll carry your things."
Ying Yue picks up their son, as Jianyu grabbed her things off the bed. Finally exiting the bedroom, Ying Yue watched as Jianyu closed the bedroom doors. For some reason, Ying Yue felt a bit of sadness parting with the bedroom she was in for so many weeks.
Jianyu places his right arm around Ying Yue as they walked down the corridor that led to the front of the residence. After ten minutes, Ying Yue could see everyone standing around and ready to go. Duan Da was the first one to notice Ying Yue and Jianyu walking closer.
"Good morning, your highness."
"Good morning Duan Da. I told you, you don't need to use honorifics when it's just us."
"I apologize, it's an old habit."
"Heh Heh, it's alright. I'm just teasing you about it. Is everyone ready to go?"
"Yes. we are ready when you are."
Ying Yue turns to face Jianyu, who then turns to his side and starts chanting. Moments later everyone could see a large portal in front of them.
"Oh, it's much bigger than usual Jianyu."
"Well, it has to fit the carriages, right? Let's be off. The longer I keep it open the more energy it drains from me."
Ying Yue thanks Ping and the doctor for their hospitality before turning to leave.
"Thank you for everything. I promise to someday return the favor."
Duan Da and Jin went to get the carriages as everyone else followed Ying Yue and Jianyu through the portal first. In the blink of an eye, Ying Yue and everyone was now standing outside the throne room. Fu Jia who was standing nearby quickly fell on one knee and greeted Ying Yue and Jianyu.
"Welcome back your majesty and your highness."
"Fu Jia, it's great to see you again."
"It's my fault your highness. I should've never left that day. Please punish me."
"There is no need for that. Please raise your head. I'm fine as you can see."
Fu Jia thanks Ying Yue for her leniency and stands up. Looking closer he notices Ying Yue holding onto a small bundle.
"Is that...?"
"Yes, this is Junjei."
"A prince?! Congratulations! The dragon kingdom has hope for the future now!"
"Thank you, Fu Jia. Ah! While you're here, these are my companions."
Ying Yue points to everyone that was standing a certain distance away. Fu Jia looks at Duan Da and drops his jaw. Fu Jia moves in closer to Ying Yue and whispers to her.
"Your highness, were you aware that; that man is the younger brother of the prime minister?"
"What? He is?"
"I've only seen old painting as a kid, but there's no mistake. That's got to be him. He's been missing for decades. Everyone thought he was dead!"
"Well, your story does really align with his. It's alright, don't worry about him."
"As you wish."
Fu Jia quickly bids Ying Yue and Jianyu farewell as he leaves to give them time alone with the others. Once Fu Jia was out of sight, Ying Yue walks over to the rest of the crew. Lin An who was silent the whole time, quickly tugs on Ying Yue's dress sleeve.
"Hey, Ying Yue. Who was that?"
"Are you talking about Fu Jia?"
"Is that his name? Is he married?"
"Not that I know of. Jianyu, is Fu Jia married?"
"He isn't, not from what I know either."
Lin An screams in excitement, turns out Fu Jia was exactly her type. Ying Yue did remember she had promised to help Lin An find a man once they returned to the dragon kingdom.
"Lin An, when the time is right, I will arrange for you two to talk properly. For now, we'll have someone direct you guys to a side palace to rest. I will come and fill you in on what's going to happen from here on out."
Jianyu motions for maids nearby to take everyone to the jade palace.
"Ying Yue, I have things to take care of. Will you be alright on your own?"
"Yes, but can you send me to the empress residence? I want to clean up before I go see my mother."
Jianyu quickly chants and creates another portal for Ying Yue. Jianyu promised to come find Ying Yue once he was finished with his tasks. Ying Yue nods and heads off inside the portal. After a brief moment, she was now standing inside the courtyard. Ying Yue stood silently in the courtyard as she notices Shen An and Li An cleaning. Holding back her tears, Ying Yue calls out to them.
"Shen An....Li An! I'm back!"
The two sisters quickly turn around after hearing a familiar voice call out to them. Shen An stared in shock along with her sister after seeing Ying Yue in such a state.
"Your highness!"
The two sisters fall to their knees and cries out. For almost a whole year, they kept waiting and waiting for any news of Ying Yue. Ying Yue quickly motions for the sisters to stand up as she wanted to talk to them properly. Shen An stood up first and finally realizes Ying Yue was carrying something.
"My lady....is that what I think it is?"
"This is my son, Junjei."
"Congratulations, your highness!"
"Thank you, ladies. Li An, can you go prepare a bath for me?"
Li An nods and heads off to the baths. Meanwhile, Shen An opens Ying Yue's bedroom doors and helps her inside. Ying Yue places her sleeping son onto her bed as she disrobed herself.
"Your highness, did you need us to accompany you?"
"No, Shen An you can stay behind and watch over Junjei. I can walk to the bath myself and have Li An help me."
Ying Yue places her thin new robe over herself and walks towards the royal bath. After soaking in the bath for twenty minutes, Ying Yue felt refreshed and ready for the new day. Li An follows Ying Yue back to her sleeping quarters where Shen An was.
"Did he cry Shen An?"
"Not at all, he's a very good baby your highness. He looks so much like his majesty."
"I know right? His light reddish hair, chubby cheeks and big jade colored eyes are so cute."
Shen An moves closer and helps Ying Yue get ready. Dressing her in a gold and black outfit with beautiful embroidery and with her hair up and held up with gold hairpins; and some light makeup, Ying Yue was ready and looking like an empress.
I would like to bring Junjei to see my mother, Shen An and Li An, will you two accompany me?"
"Of course, your highness."
Ying Yue picks up her sleeping son as Shen An quickly runs off to grab an umbrella. Making sure to not wake up Junjei, Ying Yue slowly walked towards her mothers residence. After fifteen minutes, of walking under the large umbrella, Ying Yue and everyone was now standing outside her mother's palace.
Shen An screams out to notify everyone of Ying Yue entering the palace.
"Empress Ying Yue is coming! Make way!"
Ying Yue watched as her mother run out of her palace to see if it was true or not.
"Mother! I'm back!"
"Ying Yue....you foolish child!"
Madam Bai Shun quickly runs to Ying Yue. As she was about to give her daughter a hug, she notices Ying Yue carrying something.
"Is that...?"
"Mother, this is my son. Prince Junjei."
Ying Yue hands over her child for her mother to hold. While in tears madam Bai Shun presses her right cheek against the child's warm cheek.
"He looks just like son in law! Ying Yue do you know what this proves?"
"What do you mean?"
"Our curse is finally gone. For generations we've only had girls. You are the first one to have a son!"
"Oh...I've forgotten all about that."
"What does it matter now? Come inside, I know you're probably hungry. I can watch over my grandson as you eat."
Madam Bai Shun had her maids bring in dishes of food for Ying Yue to enjoy as they talked. Ying Yue informed her mother of what happened to her and about Duan Da and the others.
"You're saying they're staying in Jade Palace?"
"Yes, that's where Jianyu is having them stay for the time being until we figure out where to have everyone go."
"I see, I'm sure you want to check on them. I can watch over little Junjei. Just make sure to come back before it's dark."
"Alright mother. I'll leave Li An here to help you with anything. Shen An will accompany me to jade palace."
Ying Yue walks out of her mother's residence and glances back to see her mother waving at her while holding her son who was still wrapped up. Breaking into a smile she waves back and heads off in the direction Shen An was pointing to. After walking for fifteen minutes, Ying Yue was now standing in front of a large palace. It was smaller than the empress residence but bigger compared to all the other side palaces. The guards outside the main entrance quickly notice Ying Yue and greets her.
"Greetings your highness."
"You may rise. Open the entrance for me."
"Of course, your highness."
The guards quickly opened up the main entrance and motioned for Ying Yue to enter. Quickly scanning the area, Ying Yue pinpointed the main hall and heads there as Shen An followed behind her. As Ying Yue got closer and closer, she could hear everyone talking in excitement. Ying Yue slowly walks in and makes eye contact with Duan Da.
"I'm glad you're all like the residence. Until we know what to do, feel free to remain here."
Lin An walks closer to Ying Yue and stares at her from the tip of her head to her toes.
"Now you really look like an empress! It suits you very well."
"Thank you, Lin An. I will have maids bring in some clothing later for everyone. Has the sleeping arrangement been fixed?"
"Yes, there's two halls so the girls are taking the right hall and then men are on the left."
"I see, have you all eaten? If not, I can call for someone."
"Don't worry about us. They took good care of us. His majesty was just here too."
"Jianyu was? What did he come for?"
"Not sure, he only spoke with father Duan."
"Hmm...guess I'll ask him later."
Ying Yue ends her conversation with Lin An and calls out for Duan Da to meet her in a study room. Once the doors were closed, Ying Yue seats herself on the small table and asked for Duan Da to join her.
"Duan Da I'll get straight to the point. I heard you're the younger brother of the prime minister."
"That's correct."
"Why didn't you tell anyone? I know you mentioned you had family in the dragon kingdom, but I had no idea you were part of such a noble family."
"It wasn't worth mentioning. I've long abandoned them. They probably don't want to see me anyways."
"What are you planning to do then? If you don't want to return to the prime minister's residence, I will have Jianyu grant you a separate title and residence. Will that be alright with you?"
"That will be more than enough. Thank you."
"Not at all. This way, you can adopt everyone and with that title they should all be able to find good marriage partners."
"You really have me beaten, Ying Yue. Thank you for thinking of them even in this situation."
"Of course, You're all my saviors. I owe you my life."